The Arunachaleswarar Temple, also called the Annamalaiyar Temple, spreads across about 25 acres at the foot of Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai. It is one of the largest temple complexes in India and one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, the five great Shiva temples that represent the elements. Here Shiva is worshipped as the Agni Lingam, the element of fire, together with his consort Unnamulai Amman (Apithakuchambal).
For devotees the hill itself is Shiva, and the temple and the mountain are always visited together. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of Tamil Nadu.
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History and architecture
The temple is praised in the 7th-century hymns of the Tamil Shaiva saints, and the present stone structure goes back to the Chola period in the 9th century. The Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara emperors and the Nayaks all added to it. The great eastern rajagopuram, about 66 metres (217 feet) tall with 11 tiers, was begun under the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya in the early 16th century and completed later, and his reign also saw the building of the thousand-pillared hall.
The complex has nine gopurams and five concentric enclosures (prakarams), with halls, tanks and many smaller shrines. Walking from the outer courtyards inwards, you move from bustle to the quiet, dark sanctum.
What to see
- Rajagopuram: the 11-tiered eastern tower, one of the tallest temple gateways in India.
- Thousand-pillared hall: a Vijayanagara-era hall with pillars carved with rearing yalis (mythical lions).
- Patala Lingam: an underground shrine beneath the hall, where the young Ramana Maharshi sat in deep meditation after arriving in Tiruvannamalai in 1896.
- Shivaganga tank and Brahma Theertham: large temple tanks within the walls.
- Views of the hill: from the inner courtyards you can see Arunachala rising behind the towers.
Karthigai Deepam and Girivalam
The temple’s biggest festival is Karthigai Deepam, on the full moon of the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December), when a huge lamp is lit on the summit of Arunachala and burns for days. The town fills with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, so plan well ahead or avoid those dates if you prefer quiet.
Every full moon, devotees walk barefoot around the hill on the Girivalam path, a circuit of about 14 km lined with shrines and lingams. Many start in the evening and walk through the night.
Timings and entry
At the time of writing, the temple’s website lists darshan hours of about 5:30 AM to 8 PM, with longer hours on weekends, full-moon days and festivals. Entry is through the east Rajagopuram and the north Ammani Amman Gopuram. General darshan is free, and special darshan tickets shorten the queue. Timings change often around festivals, so check before you go.
Practical tips
- Dress code: modest, traditional clothing; cover shoulders and knees.
- Phones: from September 2026 Tamil Nadu’s HR&CE department has banned mobile phones in major temples, with paid deposit counters at the gates. Check the current rule before you go.
- Crowds: weekdays are far quieter. Full moon days, weekends and Karthigai Deepam bring very long queues.
- Footwear: leave it at the counters outside; the courtyard stone heats up by late morning.
- Nearby: Sri Ramanasramam, the ashram of Ramana Maharshi, is a short drive away on the Girivalam road, on the south side of the hill.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Tiruvannamalai is about 108 km from Pondicherry, around two and a half hours by car, which makes it a comfortable day trip. Our Tiruvannamalai and Gingee day trip pairs the temple with Gingee Fort on the way, and the temple is also part of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam tour, all by car with driver.
Official information: Temple website (Tamil Nadu HR&CE)
Frequently asked questions
Which element does Arunachaleswarar Temple represent?
Fire (Agni). It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, and the lingam is worshipped as the Agni Lingam.
How tall is the Tiruvannamalai temple gopuram?
The eastern rajagopuram is about 66 metres (217 feet) tall with 11 tiers.
How long is the Girivalam path?
About 14 km around Arunachala hill. Most devotees walk it barefoot, especially on full moon nights.
When is Karthigai Deepam in Tiruvannamalai?
On the full moon of the Tamil month of Karthigai, in November or December. Exact dates change every year.
How far is Tiruvannamalai from Pondicherry?
About 108 km, roughly two and a half hours by car.